File picture of Meiteis at puya meithaba

Imphal, Dec. 8: The Meitei National Front, a revivalist group, will observe January 2 to 16 as puya meithaba fortnight with a host of programmes to commemorate the destruction of puya (Meitei holy scriptures) by King Meidingu Pamheiba nearly 300 years ago.

King Pamheiba had embraced Chaitanya’s school of Vaishnavism — introduced in Manipur by Santidas Gossain, a missionary from Bangladesh, in 1729.

Historians said under the missionary’s instigation, the king ordered the destruction of all Meitei holy scriptures in 1729 inside Kangla, Manipur’s seat of power.

Puyas are scriptures documenting the traditional beliefs, socio-political policies and economic guidelines for the then princely state of Manipur.

The incident heralded a new era in Manipuri literature. The Bengali script was then introduced and it is still used in higher classes in schools and colleges, though the Meitei script replaced Bengali upto Class VII gradually. The ancient scriptures were written in archaic Meiteilon.

The Meitei National Front constituted the International Observation Committee on Puya Meithaba, with former minister R.V. Mingthing as the chairman. The front has been observing the day since on wangching 23 (according to the Meitei calendar — during December-January) every year.

This year the day falls on January 16, the concluding day of the fortnight-long observation.

“This is a very important event in Manipuri history. So we want the state government declare it as a state holiday and the government should observe the day with a state function every year. We also want the government to include the mention of puya meithaba in the school syllabus,” Namoijam Tomba, the chief convener of the committee, said.

The programmes will begin with students attending classes with black badges to protest the destruction of puya in all private schools from January 2 to 7. The All-Manipur Private School Welfare Association will ensure that the programme is carried out successfully.

On January 8, a painting competition will be held for students upto Class IX on the theme of Puya Meithaba. Students will be provided books on the subject and asked to draw from their imagination.

Hoong Sidaba Dramatic Union will stage a play, Kangla Fambalda Thambal, based on puya meithaba and the Manipur Shumang Leela Council will perform Kangleipakta 1709, also based on the historical event.

The observation committee will also honour writer Chana Lukhoi and Tangkhul folk singer Guru Rewben Mashangva.